Matt
Hall
Speaker Profile
Matt Hall is a unique story of an ordinary man doing extraordinary things.
A retired Wing Commander Fighter Pilot in RAAF, he is a combat veteran of Iraq, with USAF medals for heroism under fire in his F-15E, supporting troops on the ground.
In 2009, following a decorated career as a RAAF combat fighter pilot, Australia's very own top gun pilot Matt Hall became the only Australian ever to compete in the Red Bull Air Race World Championships, the fastest and most exciting sport on the planet. Matt finished the season third overall to become the first rookie in history to end his debut season on the podium. Not bad for a normal kid growing up on a NSW central coast farm being told 'You can't...'
In 2010, Matt set out to win the Championship, though a much publicised event in the fourth round in Canada where he touched the surface of the Detroit River, then recovered to land uninjured, ended his season Championship aspirations. Matt recovered from this incident to place third at his very next race, demonstrating his ability to respond positively in the face of near disaster, and absorb huge amounts of pressure to perform with the spotlight focused on him.
Matt is a highly credentialed and skilled pilot with nearly 2000 F/A-18 Hornet hours, over 500 hours in the F-15E Strike
Eagle (including combat), over 1100 hours in light aircraft and over 500 hours doing aerobatics.
Ending his military career in 2009 as a Wing Commander, Matt was awarded dux of his Fighter Combat Instructor Course - Top Gun (1999), F/A-18 Hornet Operational Conversion Course (1995), Basic Fighter Pilot Course (1994) and Wings course (1992, gaining the highest aggregate score in RAAF pilot training history) and was also awarded Fighter Pilot of the Year in 1997. He has represented Australia as a United States Air Force (USAF) exchange officer in North Carolina, instructed F-15E aircrew attending USAF Weapons School and briefed Australian Embassy staff at Washington annually on accomplishments and recommendations for future RAAF operations. Hall was also awarded the Air Medal and an Air Medal First Oak Leaf Cluster for heroism under fire during operational service in Iraq where he flew in the second Gulf War.
Matt is an experienced speaker who specialises on his core strengths of Goal Setting (short, medium and long term), Risk Management (in all areas of life from getting shot at to career changing decisions), and Prioritization (time management).
He is able to convey his story of humble beginnings, but setting unimaginable goals then pushing himself hard to exceed them. A highly self disciplined individual, Matt is respected for his ability to communicate with people at all levels and is greatly admired for his focus under pressure and leadership qualities. He is an outstanding motivator and is a popular public speaker, mentor and role model.
Matt Hall is a fantastic story of a very proud Aussie who now says 'I can and I will...'
Client Comments for Matt Hall
Matt Hall travels from New South Wales
Client Comments
Client Comments
- Matt Hall spoke recently at our annual conference, his presentation was both enthralling and inspiring. His story of courage and perseverance captured the interest of our attendees and in fact caused many to comment on how valuable his speech was. Matt spoke with such intensity and passion, he drew the audience in and painted a vivid picture of his experiences. His determination throughout his career, although unique in its character, is something that we can all aspire to.
Sir Walter Group
Topics
Speaker Topics
Related Categories
Topic Synopses
Matt uses his own experiences to demonstrate that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things with the correct attitude, vision and risk management. This is backed up with never before seen video footage of Matt flying F-18s in Australia, and combat footage in the US Air Force. Matt also shows in-cockpit footage of racing and his much publicised crash in Windsor, Ontario where he managed to fly his aircraft out of the Detroit River, after momentarily stalling while racing.Dreams
It is Matt's belief that people have forgotten how to Dream BIG. It nearly happened to him. He grew up believing he was going to be a pilot, though the closer he came to leaving school, the more he was steered toward a 'normal' career. It was through a chance meeting with an old Spitfire pilot, that some words were said that changed the way Matt viewed the world... and still does. Matt shares this story on 'potential not used is wasted forever'.
Goals
Matt fully realises that big dreams are daunting, and easily dismissed. He has had many large dreams: becoming a pilot as a teenager, becoming a fighter pilot, flying the F-15E, becoming an Air Race Pilot. All of these were achieved against unbelievable odds, and Matt did it with his 'small stepping stones', or goals. Matt uses his story to show how the impossible becomes reality one step at a time.
Team Building
Matt has managed teams from Fighter Squadrons to an International Race Team, and fully appreciates the importance of a good team. He was milliseconds away from catastrophe a number of times in his career, and it generally came down to him and his team fighting for survival... surviving a hostile environment can only be done with great support.
Rebounding from Adversity
Matt has lost many friends in aviation accidents, has been shot at in Combat, nearly crashed an aircraft while racing, and had numerous close calls... and he keeps coming back better and stronger each time. You'll figure it out when you listen to the way he looks at life... run with risk, always have an out, learn from all errors and keep looking forward.
Flight Experience
See the world how Matt sees it. Every person has had a dream in their life where they could defy gravity and levitate to wherever they choose. Matt does this everyday, and now there is an opportunity to experience this with him and understand what looks impossible from one perspective, is completely achievable and safe from another. You will dress like Matt in a race suit, wear a race helmet, get your own set of wings, then strap into the most manoeuvrable two-seat aircraft in Australia. You will get to see Matt's entire aviation career in one flight. He will show you the basics of how he started flying, then progress to combat manoeuvres, unlimited aerobatic manoeuvres, and culminate in a race simulation (hot lap!) All this in the most action packed 20 minutes you will ever experience. Lucky you get to keep a video!
Aerobatic Joy Flight
Experience the thrills and speed like never before with Australia's best aerobatic pilot, Matt Hall. The two-seat Extra, a power-packed unlimited aerobatic aircraft has a top speed of over 400 km/h, a climb rate of 2000 feet per minute, a staggering roll rate of 360 degrees per second and it can take you to 10 Gs! After a full briefing and aircraft inspection with Matt Hall, you're strapped into the cockpit and gradually introduced to the world of aerobatics; the passenger fully controls the intensity level of the aerobatics at all times, so it's as wild as you want it to be. Flying in the Extra is one of the most intense and absolutely insane experiences you will ever have - a truly memorable experience!
Related Speakers
"Sandra is always very helpful and full of ideas for our event, very happy with the service we receive from the team. Thank you!"
Great Southern Press
Subscribe to our newsletter
"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn."
Alvin Toffler